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Department of Computer Science College of Arts and Sciences

Outreach

Learning about cutting edge computing and programming should not be limited to college students. We believe in bringing our knowledge and expertise out into the Birmingham community, introducing area middle and high school students to computer science, programming, animation and gaming, and app development. We also offer continuing education to help professionals enhance their skills.

We invite you to explore the opportunities offered by the Department of Computer Science.

Summer Camp

Offering one week summer camps to middle and high school students,

Register for Summer Camps Opens an external link.

Are you interested in learning more about computer science? The Department of Computer Science at UAB is offering two summer camps! There will be two camps for middle schoolers (rising 6th–8th graders) and two camps for high schoolers (rising 9th–12th graders)! For two of the camps, we are asking for a higher payment to cover equipment that students will take home with them. By us ordering the equipment, we are able to take advantage of educational discounts. It also helps us ensure that everyone has the same equipment.

For questions about the camps, please email Dr. Amber Wagner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Middle School Camp One

  • Date: 6/1/2026–6/5/2026
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (drop-off starts at 8 a.m., pick-up ends at 4 p.m.)
  • Location: UAB University Hall, First Floor, Birmingham, AL
  • Registration Fee: $450 ($400 before March 1). Registration link is below; UAB employees should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration
  • Content: Introduction to Scratch (including using Scratch to fly a drone and make a chatbot)
  • Details: For rising 6th–8th graders without prior programming experience. Includes lunch.

Middle School Camp Two

  • Date: 6/8/2026–6/12/2026
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (drop-off starts at 8 a.m., pick-up ends at 4 p.m.)
  • Location: UAB University Hall, First Floor, Birmingham, AL
  • Registration Fee: $500 ($450 before March 1). Registration link is below; UAB employees should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration
  • Content: Introduction to Python using the micro:bit
  • Details: For rising 6th–8th graders without prior programming experience. Includes lunch and micro:bit that students will keep.

High School Camp One

  • Date: 6/1/2026–6/5/2026
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (drop-off starts at 8 a.m., pick-up ends at 4 p.m.)
  • Location: UAB University Hall, First Floor, Birmingham, AL
  • Registration Fee: $450 ($400 before March 1). Registration link is below; UAB employees should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration
  • Content: Introduction to Python and Artificial Intelligence
  • Details: For rising 9th–12th graders without prior programming experience. Includes lunch.

High School Camp Two

  • Date: 6/8/2026–6/12/2026
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (drop-off starts at 8 a.m., pick-up ends at 4 p.m.)
  • Location: UAB University Hall, First Floor, Birmingham, AL
  • Registration Fee: $600 ($550 before March 1). Registration link is below; UAB employees should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration
  • Content: Introduction to Raspberry Pi programming in Python and robotics
  • Details: For rising 9th–12th graders with prior programming experience. Includes lunch and Raspberry Pi that students will keep.

Showcase Your Skills at the 2026 Alabama High School Programming Contest

Join us for the 2026 Alabama High School Programming Contest (HSPC) hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). This exciting event brings together talented high school and advanced junior high students from across the state to demonstrate their programming skills and problem-solving abilities in a friendly competition.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Location: UAB University Hall, 1st Floor, Birmingham, AL

Winners will receive gift cards via mail after the event. To comply with legal requirements, UAB will collect winners' full name, Social Security Number (SSN), and mailing address. This information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for issuing the prizes.

Programming Languages

Participants may use Python, C++, Java, or any programming language of their choice. If your preferred language is not listed, please inform us in advance to ensure compatibility with our auto-grader system.

More information is coming in the near future, so please stay tuned!

Contact Us

For questions or additional details, contact Dr. Sha (Stan) Lai (contest chair) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..